Angleterre Hotel, Saint Petersburg

Uesterday we returned from 3 nights staying at the Angleterre in St Petersburg. You need to accept as soon as possible that it is the Russian way to be very dour and almost give the impression that it is a real chore to serve you. But once you have wmbraced this way of life in this fantastic city you will have the trip of a lifetime. Location of the hotel is second to none, cleanliness exceptional, with clean towels every day, and quality of fixtures and fittings excellent. The breakfast is wonderful (but watch the tepid tea)with selection of fresh fruits, cereal, smoked salmon, poached salmon, full english breakfast and various yogurts and pastries. We ate in the hotel one evening and it came to over �100, that was for 2 courses and one bottle of wine. We can also recommend the 1913 restaurant just up the road for a feel of real St Petersburg and live music (they even played Lara's Theme twice for me). I have waited thirty years to visit this city and it far surpassed my expectations. I am already planning my next visit as 3 nights was just not enough. A piece of advice for anyone going, don't bother taking US dollars or Euro, they prefer roubles - how times change.